Find local microroasters and ask them if they'll sell you green. I've never had a roaster worth his salt who wouldn't sell me greens if I ask politely. Sometimes I can even get them to give me some roasting tips, since many of them started out as homeroasters, too.

A worthy quest, but a fairly limited one. Very few of us live where we will ever have the opportunity to see or buy the variety of over the counter greens that might otherwise catch our interest. I have found cupping notes to be more useful than the appearance of greens in any case. Sweet Marias, for example, has a selection of quality greens with useful cupping notes. The Green Coffee Buyers Club (a co-op) is another source that consistently includes reliable cupping notes with each offering.

Now, I certainly understand your interest in doing this. There is one over the counter source in my area and of course I visit them periodically. When in Mexico, I make a point of visiting public markets and coffee mills in coffee growing regions. I also made a point of visitng growers and mills in Hawaii while I was there this past winter. Great fun, and you always learn something new.

Another thought: If you've got Ethiopian markets in the DC area, they always have Ethiopian greens. Not your wide selection, but I've frequently gotten nice greens, both wet and dry (natural) process from some of the Ethiopian markets here in L.A.

Another thought: If you've got Ethiopian markets in the DC area, they always have Ethiopian greens. Not your wide selection, but I've frequently gotten nice greens, both wet and dry (natural) process from some of the Ethiopian markets here in L.A.

Not just Ethiopian marketsómost fairly well-stocked Middle Eastern markets, even in medium-sized cities, will have a bin or bags of green coffee as well as inexpensive spices and legumes from that part of the world. Since virtually everything else in my local market (except the flat bread and the butcher counter) is imported from the Middle East through local channels, its a good guess that the beans are Yemeni or Ethiopian. Inexpensive as well. I've been buying what I think is a dry processed Yemeni locally for $4/lb that is quite good.

The flat breads are usually fresh and a treat too. But the butcher seems a surly lout so I have stayed away from the meats so faróbesides, I haven't acquired much of a taste for goat.

Find local microroasters and ask them if they'll sell you green. I've never had a roaster worth his salt who wouldn't sell me greens if I ask politely. Sometimes I can even get them to give me some roasting tips, since many of them started out as homeroasters, too.

This is what I did where I live. There is a donut shop owner that roasts his own coffee (about 10 varieties). I asked him to sell me some greens. He is more than happy to do so. The way I see it, he is buying in bulk. He sells them to me with a small markup and doesn't have to put the time in to roast. I get to buy small quantities and totally avoid shipping costs. It is a win win.

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